Description
This report shows that wage theft is a large problem with employers routinely stealing workers’ money while workers have limited knowledge of their rights. This report is based on a survey conducted in November and December 2023 of 942 workers, 92% of whom were also students. Respondents were asked about their experience working in San Diego County in the previous 12 months. This report is a collaboration between CPI and the Center for Community Research and Engagement at San Diego State University.
Principal Investigator and Lead Author: Jill Esbenshade, PhD
Co-authors: Avery Cardosi, Ulises Magallon Estrada, Danielle Gannon
Research Team: Vic Amador, Staci Burns, Avery Cardosi, Danielle Gannon, Yvette Garcia, Allison Hall, Sara Liaquat , Jacob Lund, Ulises Magallon Estrada
Policy Recommendation Team: Kyra R. Greene, PhD, Keara O’Laughlin, Derrick Robinson, PhD
Report Design by Anoki Casey
Acknowledgments
We thank Alor Calderon from the Employee Rights Center of San Diego and Ruth Silver-Taube, Supervising Attorney, Workers’ Rights Practice, Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center, Santa Clara University School of Law, and Santa Clara County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, Legal Advice Line, for advising on state labor law and employment policy.
We gratefully acknowledge the individuals, organizations and foundations who support the Center on Policy Initiatives. We would like to specifically recognize the following funders who provide general operating support that makes community-led research possible: The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, Satterberg Foundation and Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock.
